Healing at the Academy Convenience Store - Chapter 1025
Nana and Eve went silent at the same time as Silfia kept shaking.
“Is something wrong?”
“Silfia?”
Her face was still red.
I approached her, wondering if she was hurt somewhere, but she suddenly stepped back and opened the president’s office door to leave.
“Why did she do that?”
“Why are you asking me about your vassal’s condition?”
“Seriously, I’m telling the truth.”
She narrowed her eyes.
Well, I don’t know either, that’s why I’m asking.
#As with any organization, an approved plan must proceed without a hitch.
Regardless of how many times the plan is reviewed before approval, once it is approved, it means that material and human resources must be consumed as planned to achieve results.
In other words.
Eve has approved this plan to offer a kind of bribe to the Evergreen Grove family, and Nana and Silfia have to work their butts off to get that bribe.
Our well-known student council president said she had other things to do, so in the end, only Nana and Silfia decided to head to the Forest of Polarity….
It’s fine to go to the same place once or twice, but it’s not in my nature to go to a place several times to farm low-tier items. Is that a game? Auto-farming.
I’d rather auto-farm. That’s better because I can just check my inventory when I wake up.
But this is reality, and I have to move on my own, and at the end of it all, I’ll just be re-obtaining items that I’ve already gotten in a landscape that I’ve already seen. It’s a worthless, unproductive activity.
That’s why.
Let’s change it.
“Come to think of it, the Forest of Polarity might be a bit lacking.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about changing the farming location. Follow me.”
“W-well…. Okay.”
She followed me nervously.
The place we’re going to today is a place that takes a slightly different route than the Forest of Polarity.
If you look at the Zephyrin map, there is a small path between the Eastern Forest and the Northern Plains of the Dead.
If you turn one way here, there is the Elpirane Owen, where the fairies reside, and if you turn in the middle, there is a small forest.
Fairies and spirits are completely different as species, but when they were created, there was no such concept, so there is a forest full of spiritual power next to the fairy paradise.
As soon as we entered, a cool breeze blew between our cheeks. It was natural, yet intentional.
“Lapis lazuli is happy….”
“Isn’t this a wonderful place?”
“Yeah….”
“Uh….”
“I only picked the really good ones. Consider it as a token of appreciation for your hard work.”
Nana gives Wolfram seeds that are used in Elven culture to swear eternal love between lovers. Eve gets angry and explains that this act is the same as introducing a lover to one’s household. Wolfram had made eye contact with Eve’s vassal, and he hopes to prove his worthiness through the seeds that Sylphiette has given him and work under Eve. Eve suddenly becomes angry and calls the seeds trash. Sylphiette is willing to work with the household for Eve’s sake and endure humiliation. Nana asks Sylphiette if she has sent a letter to the household, and soon after, a reply comes from the main family. The main family responds that they have received the gift and that there is no need for Zephyrin to return home in a hurry, adding that they cautiously support the two’s future.
This world acknowledges hard work and doesn’t exclude raw talent, but even so, there are lands that can be grazed on like this.
To be exact, it’s a part of the extra system. For example, let’s say that the story has progressed to Act 10; the character’s strength will be at the level of Act 10, but the hidden dungeon opens in the location of Act 1. To put it more simply, it’s like ‘the final dungeon is in the tutorial map, isn’t that exciting?’.
Anyway, everything here is a special seed, and each and every one of them contains the power of spirits.
“U, Wolfram, this is….”
“The seed of the Fire Vulcan. It blooms into a gorgeous, crimson flower. It increases the affinity of the surrounding fire spirits. They say that it blooms into a beautiful flower.”
“Ah…. A, I know. I know, but…. Does that flower happen to…. have the flower language….”
“Flower language?”
I don’t know about that.
“No, it’s nothing…. Okay. I understand…. T, then, let’s collect everything for now.”
“Mm. Okay.”
Like that, we collected various seeds and seedlings.
“This is the seed of the Sturmfalken.”
“Ah…. Uh. I know. That…. Uh. The flower language too….”
“What’s the flower language?”
“T, that, I can’t say.”
“And this is the flower of the Astarte. Does this have a flower language too?”
“How can I say that with my own mouth, you piece of trash!”
She suddenly got angry…. I don’t understand the minds of girls this age.
“Then, after I deliver all of this to your house…. You just have to write a letter saying ‘Wolfram is this useful’ or something like that.”
“Huh? A…. Ah, okay. Is that how it’s going to be…. Uh.”
“Sylphiette. Why are you acting like this? If there’s a problem, tell me for sure.”
“Wolfram…. You probably don’t understand, but this is…. That is to say….”
“Sylphiette Evergreen Grove. I want to give my all to this. Do you understand? No matter what the reason is, no matter what the outcome is, I’ll accept it. That’s my resolve.”
“…….”
“To make Eve von Lohengrin the emperor. You were also in support of that cause, weren’t you?”
“Ugh…. If you put it that way…. That’s right. I’m also giving it my all for that dream, to see that figure.”
Sylphiette took a few deep breaths and nodded.
“I won’t act recklessly. No matter what the outcome is or what rumors spread, I have a dream….”
“Mm. That’s all I needed to hear.”
After that, we gathered the seeds one by one and soon handed them all over to Sylphiette.
“There are more seeds than I thought….”
“There are more seeds than I thought….”
“Yeah. So what.”
Silphia bowed her head and put the seeds in her arms.
Today’s work ends here.
Now then. Let’s go back.
#
Eve was sitting at her desk, lost in thought.
No matter how much she thought about it, Silphia’s reaction was strange. Is it because she’s reluctant to send a bribe to her parents’ house? She doesn’t seem like that kind of person, because she’s usually bold in those kinds of situations.
Then where did that embarrassment come from?
There were elves among the student council members, and even if it wasn’t all of them, there were students who could be consulted.
So, she asked.
“Is there any special meaning to the exchange or gifting of seeds or seedlings among elves?”
“They are sometimes given as a sign of goodwill or affection. They are very popular. In particular, high-grade seedlings or seeds can fetch a huge price.”
“I see. It would be filial piety to give them to my parents, right?”
“Of course. No parent would dislike a seedling.”
“I see.”
It made even less sense.
Oh, is it possible that she’s worried that it will be seen not as a bribe but as a signal of reconciliation to her parents? If so, then I can understand.
“Is there any other meaning?”
“What? That’s all. Ah….”
“There’s something you’re holding back. Can you tell me?”
“Well, it’s a little shameless….”
“Go on. Tell me everything.”
“Yes, yes!”
Overwhelmed by Eve’s imposing manner, the officer hesitantly opened her mouth.
“Well…. When lovers swear eternal love to each other. Elves find the best seedlings they can get and plant them together. That’s our kind of wedding….”
“I see.”
Snap.
The pen in Eve’s hand broke.
“I, hic…. I, over there….”
“Keep talking. Tell me everything.”
“T, that’s why…. That’s why. Ah, right…. Before becoming lovers…. I’m interested in the other person…. It means that.”
Whew…. Whew.
Eve’s eyelids twitched, and she desperately tried to laugh, but her murderous intent flared, and the light magic gathered at the tip of the pen as she drew a deep breath.
“Pr, President…?”
“So…. If one of them doesn’t know about it, and just gives it as a gift?”
“Oh, that’s fine. This is a unique custom of the elves, so if one of them doesn’t know, it becomes a gift of goodwill between different races.”
“Oh, then it’s okay. Because this is an exclusive custom of the elves, when one side doesn’t know about it, it becomes a gift of goodwill between different races.”
Eve’s hands trembled.
Nana gives Wolfram a seed used to swear eternal love between lovers in Elven culture. Eve gets angry and explains that this act is the same as introducing a lover to one’s home. Wolfram has made eye contact with Eve’s retainer and hopes to prove his abilities and work under Eve through the seed gifted by Silphia. Eve suddenly gets angry and calls the seed trash. Silphia is willing to work with the family and endure the humiliation for Eve. Nana asks Silphia if she has sent a letter to her family, and soon after, a reply arrives from the main family. The main family responds that they have received the gift and that there is no need to rush back to Zephyria, adding that they cautiously support the two’s future.
“Yes. So what.”
In an instant, the temperature of the conference room, which had dropped a few degrees, slowly rose.
Don’t they say that if neither side knows about it, it’s not a big deal? Silphia… probably knew, and Wolfram didn’t. Then there’s nothing to worry about.
Eve, who wasn’t sure what she was worried about, smiled quietly.
Let’s just confirm one last thing.
Eve asked the question with a truly light heart.
“Then, what does it mean when a man and a woman… the woman gives a high-quality sapling to the man’s house… and the woman writes a letter praising the man?”
“Doesn’t it mean that she wants permission to marry?”
“What?”
#
Sometime later, Eve called, so I went to the student council room with Silphia.
“I heard the whole story. A man and a woman, huh, sending a sapling to their parents together… so…”
Eve’s hands trembled several times, her mouth trembled, her arms trembled, and finally, even her magical power trembled.
“W-well, Eve-sama… so…”
Ah.
Silphia was trembling too, in a servile manner.
I’m the only one who’s calm, so it’s a bit awkward. Should I tremble too?
“I don’t understand very well… what’s going on?”
“So…!”
After that, Eve explained haltingly.
So, what does it mean when a sapling or seed is given as a gift among elves, and what does it mean when it goes to the parents?
I listened to it all and was convinced.
“So, when I go with Silphia to find the seed and send it to his house… it’s the same as introducing my lover to my home.”
“T-that’s what it means… right? Silphia?”
“Y-yes… that’s right.”
Silphia hung her head as if she had become a sinner.
“Not bad.”
“Wolfram?”
“W-what are you talking about! You, you and I… so…”
Hey, calm down and listen carefully.
“Situationally, I broke off my engagement with Aila Tristar, made eye contact with Eve von Hohenheim’s retainer, and started working with her under Eve. Wouldn’t it be a sign that I would like to be accepted if I sent a high-quality sapling to prove my abilities? It all fits together perfectly. Is there any reason to refuse?”
“B-but the rumors…”
“Didn’t a rumor like this come up once before? Just let it die down.”
“Th-that… uhhh…”
Eve’s hands trembled.
“Is there a problem?”
“No. Get out. Trash.”
Why are you cursing all of a sudden?
#
Silfia followed me with heavy steps.
“Silfia. Don’t worry too much. In the end, if we don’t waver and use the rumors as a smokescreen, that’s all that matters.”
“That’s right… That’s right. The important thing is to put Eve-nim on the throne. For that, I’m willing to work with my family and endure any humiliation.”
“Yes.”
This guy follows Eve with loyalty, while I’m just trying to suck up to her later, but we have the same goal, so we can join forces as much as we want.
“Have you sent a letter to your family?”
“I sent it yesterday. I used a spirit express, so I’ll get a reply soon.”
That’s good.
Anyway, once this is resolved, we can either proceed with the main story or go on an expedition to raise the children.
“Then let’s think about the next task.”
Eve’s Act 4… Originally, it was supposed to be a big fight with Aira Trystar.
Come to think of it, I haven’t met Regina Ciel either. It was supposed to be an alliance between Eve and Regina to defeat Aira Trystar.
Maybe I’ll see her face later… I’m not close to her, and I don’t feel like getting close to her… Still, her magic itself is useful…
As I walked, thinking about the development of the story, the footsteps that had been following me suddenly stopped.
I looked back and saw Silfia standing there, looking at me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Wolfram. There’s something I want to ask you. Really… Do you have any personal feelings about this? I mean, sending a gift to your family?”
“No.”
This guy is a good guy, but…
I don’t feel that way about Silfia, and I don’t want to manipulate her heart by disguising my mission as something else.
“Is that so? Then that’s fine.”
“Hm.”
Is it my imagination, or does her voice sound a little shaky?
Well, I guess she’s relieved.
And so, not long after, a reply came from the Evergreen Grove family.
The contents were as follows:
‘We have received the gift.’
‘You don’t have to rush back to Zephyrin. Let’s talk calmly after graduation.’
And
‘We cautiously support your future together.’
That was all.